Middle East/France

France admits "contact" with Hamas

Article published on the 2008-05-19 Latest update 2008-05-19 14:18 TU

Bernard Kouchner
(Photo: Reuters)

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner today confirmed reports that France has had contact with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic group which controls the Gaza Strip. The European Union and the US categorise Hamas as a "terrorist organisation", while Israeli Prime Minister today hinted that military action may be taken against the Gaza Strip which Hamas controls.

"These are not relations, they are contacts," Kouchner told the Europe 1 radio station, "We are not the only ones to have them. We are not charged with any kind of negociation."

Confirming a report in Le Figaro newspaper, Kouchner said that talking to Hamas unofficially is necessary "if we want out envoys to be able to get into Gaza".

The retired diplomat Yves Aubin de La Messuzière, who was once ambassador to Iraq, told the paper Le Figaro that Hamas leaders are ready to accept a Palestinian state within 1967 borders, claiming that is an "indirect recognition" of Israel.

He added that Hamas is willing to discuss ending suicide attacks and recognising Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who dissolved the Hamas-led government last year.

Israel and the White House sharply criticised former US President Jimmy Carter for talking to Hamas last month.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak meets Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak today to discuss a truce that Egypt is brokering between the Jewish state and Hamas.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Israeli cabinet that he is "very close" to deciding what action to take to stop rocket attacks from Gaza, amid calls from some ministers to launch a military assault on the territory.